“The single greatest thing you can do to change your life today would be to start being grateful for what you have right now. And the more grateful you are, the more you get.” — Oprah Winfrey
By cultivating a life of gratitude, you will be able to feel joy no matter what your circumstances are. As dark as things might seem, if you can dig deep and find something to be grateful for, your whole attitude can change.
According to an article in Psychology Today, “Scientists say that these techniques (focusing on gratitude) shift our thinking from negative outcomes to positive ones, elicit a surge of feel good hormones like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, and build enduring personal connections.”
Being grateful shouldn’t be reserved for those times when it’s easy to be grateful, either. Gratitude promotes life. It’s optimistic. Practical. It takes courage and brains to be grateful.
Gratitude clears the way for positive choice and change. It motivates and moves you into a higher place so you feel better. Hopeful. Strong.
When you appreciate things you’re kinder. Gratitude boosts you physically, mentally and emotionally.
Gratitude helps you build wealth
Nourishing yourself with gratitude makes you feel stronger, more alert and alive. It builds up and strengthens your entire body, mind and spirit.
Six strategic steps to fill up your gratitude account:
- Call it “intentional gratitude” or “conscious appreciation” but build a new habit of expressing gratitude frequently. It will make you feel fortunate, powerful and kind.
- Create a specific daily mantra for yourself — a prayer, wish, vow or commitment —
‘I am grateful for_______________’. Have it in your mind. Say it to people. Write it in notes and emails. - “Thank you” takes one second to say. Consciously look to express it and do good things often. Don’t miss an opportunity to be grateful.
- Start a Daily Gratitude Journal – Write 3 things you’re grateful for every night before bed.
- How does gratitude live in the world? Look for examples in music, art, literature, daily life, history, people you see and know.
- Acknowledge negativity and counter it with genuine appreciation and thanks.
“Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships…regardless of the inherent or current level of someone’s gratitude, it’s a quality that individuals can successfully cultivate further.”
References:
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/grow-your-gratitude-six-easy-steps-for-smart-people_b_5760096
- https://www.aplanforjoyinthehome.com/grow-in-gratitude/
- https://www.seventeen.com/life/a37198250/gratitude-quotes/